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The hair growth cycle describes the different phases that each individual hair on the human skin goes through, from its growth to its shedding. This cycle is a continuous process that can be divided into three main phases: Anagen phase, catagen phase and telogen phase.
During the anagen phase, also known as the growth phase, new hairs are created in the hair follicles and existing hairs actively grow. This phase can last several years, and the length of this phase largely determines the maximum hair length that an individual can achieve.
After the anagen phase, the hair enters the catagen phase, a transitional phase that lasts a few weeks. During this time, hair growth stops and the hair follicle retracts and prepares to shed the hair.
The last phase is the telogen phase, which is known as the resting phase. During this time, the hair remains in its follicle without growing and eventually falls out, often triggered by the growth of a new hair in the anagen phase. The telogen phase can last around three to four months.
The hair growth cycle is a dynamic process that is influenced by various factors, including genetics, hormones and age. It ensures that hair is renewed and enables the body to react to changes in the environment or in the state of health. Despite the hair growth cycle’s ability to renew itself, various conditions such as hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies or illness can disrupt this cycle and lead to hair loss or other hair problems.
